Ski rope retrieving device

ABSTRACT

A ski rope retrieving device for mounted disposition within a boat having a motor housing with an annular side wall constituting a reel for disposition thereabout of the ski rope and which side wall is rotatable about an axis coincident with that of the motor. Connecting the motor drive shaft and the said side wall is a speed-reduction system comprising first and second pairs of sheaves, each pair interconnected by endless belts. A flexible tubular guide is provided for directing the rope to and from the said reel and with a detent carried upon said rope to limit its dispensing during ski-launching operation; said detent effecting sound-producing contact with the inner face of said guide immediately prior to termination of the rope-dispensing action for signalling the approaching end thereof.

United" States Patent 11 1 Parsons i 1 SR1 ROPE RETRlliYlNG DEVICE [76] lnventor. Charles 0. Parsons, l Decoruh Dr.

St. Louis. Mo. 63141 122 Filed: Oct. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 402.269

[521 US. Cl..... 114/235 WS: 254/190 R; 242/1583 1511 Int. Cl 363p 21/00 [58] Field of Search 254/149. 1755. 175.7. 254/187 A. 190. 174; 242/865 A. 158 R.

158.3. 45. 54: 114/235 WS; 74/421 A [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 56.906 851866 Dahle 254/190 R 2.246.862 (1/1941 Smellie 242/1583 2.443.763 6/1948 Dalllgren et a1. 242/45 3.034.742 511962 Reynolds. 114/235 WS 3.041.996 7/19612 Roberts 114/235 VVS 1 1 June 3, 1975 3.456.891 7/1969 Parr 114/235 WS Primary E.\'aminer-Robert J Spar Assistant E.raminerl(enneth Noland Attorney, Agent. or FirmRalph W. Kalish [5 7] ABSTRACT A ski rope retrieving device for mounted disposition within a boat having a motor housing with an annular side wall constituting a reel for disposition thereabout of the ski rope and which side wall is rotatable about an axis coincident with that of the motor. Connecting the motor drive shaft and the said side wall is a speedreduction system comprising first and second pairs of sheaves, each pair interconnected by endless belts. A flexible tubular guide is provided for directing the rope to and from the said reel and with a detent carried upon said rope to limit its dispensing during skilaunching operation; said detent effecting sound producing contact with the inner face of said guide immediately prior to termination of the ropedispensing action for signalling the approaching end thereof.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 49 34 l': 30 I Z1- Z8 24 1 za 37 i PATEHTEDM 3 I915 SHEET FIG. 3

SKI ROPE RETRIEVING DEVICE This invention relates in general to water skiing apparatus and, more particularly, to a water ski rope retrieving device. After the completion ofa water skiing operation whether by reason of upset of the skier or any other reason, the tow rope which has customarily been dispensed to a considerable length must be retrieved by the boat operator. Quite generally this operation has been effected manually with the operator having to pull the rope in in a hand-over-hand manner. Some efforts have been made to develop retrieving devices which are also hand operated but which utilize a crankdriven reel. There have been some further efforts in the area of motor-operated launching and retrieving systems but the same have proven relatively complex, prone to break down, and costly.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a ski rope retrieving device which embodies a relatively high-speed motor and a novel speed-reducing system which obviates resort to the customary gearreduction boxes and like complex means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a ski rope retrieving device which is most compact, being adapted for mounted disposition upon but a limited zone of the boat transom or stem portion thus providing no obstacle to effective use of that part of the boat.

It is the further object of the present invention to provide a device of the character stated which incorporates unique means for limiting the paying out of the rope.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device of the character stated which is extremely durable in operation; which is economical in production; and which is comprised of a simplicity of parts with the interengagement between same being fundamentally elementary so that in the event of breakdown the average boat owner could easily effect the requisite repair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a ski rope retrieving device constructed in accordance and embodying the present invention, illustrating the same in operative position.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view.

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference numerals to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a ski rope retrieving device for disposition at any convenient location within a boat. For purpose of example only, device A is illustrated in the drawing as being mounted upon the forward face of a boat transom 1. It is to be understood, however, that said device is not restricted to such location. Said device comprises a flat mounting plate 2 engaged upon transom 1 as by bolts 3; there being spacers 4 about the stern of each bolt for maintaining plate 2 spacedly from transom 1 for purposes presently appearing. Secured upon the forward face of mounting plate 2 by a plurality of elongated bolts 5 are planar-wise parallel, spacedapart rearward and forward end plates 6,7 respectively;

the forward ends of said bolts 5 passing through openings 8 in an elongated flat bar 9 having recesses 10 for receiving nuts 11 threaded upon the proximate end of said bolts. The rearward ends of bolts 5 which pass through openings in mounting plate 2 are also threadedly engaged by retaining nuts 12. End plates 6,7 are of circular form and are each provided with a relatively enlarged central circular opening 6',7 respectively. It will thus be seen that bar 9 extends across opening 7' and projects beyond the upper end thereof (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

Each end plate 6,7 is relatively thick as compared with mounting plate 2 and is provided with an outwardly opening groove 13,14 respectively in its periph ery for defining a race for ball bearings as indicated at 15,16 respectively. Each end plate 6,7 is contoured to provide a short flange 17,18 projecting beyond the adjacent groove and on the sides of said plates remote from each other to provide limits for an annular or barrel member 19 for which said ball bearings 15,16 provide a bearing so as to conduce to the rotation of said annular member 19 with respect to end plates 6,7. Thus the forward and rearward edges of said member 19 are immediately proximate the confronting faces of flanges 17,18 and are restrained thereby against undesired shifting. Rigid upon the outerface of annular member 19 is a pair of spaced apart, relatively enlarged flanges 20,21 which cooperate with said annular member 19 to define a storage zone having a ski rope r which would be normally wound about said annular member 19 and being inhibited by said flanges 20,21 against movement beyond said zone. Accordingly it will be seen that end plates 6,7 together with annular member 19 define a housing for an electric motor In which is maintained therein by said bolts 5 which extend through the casing 22 of said motor In. Annular member 19 serves a double function of a housing side wall and of a spool for rope r.

By reference to FIG. 4 it will be seen that flange 21 is spacedly rearwardly of the forward end edge of annular member 19 for developing a suitable spacing 23 in order that a rim-like member 24 may be mounted, as by welding. about the outerface of said annular member 19 within said spacing. Said rim-like member 24 is provided with an outwardly opening peripheral groove 25 for purposes presently appearing.

From the transom adjacent end of motor m there proceeds, through opening 6' in plate 6 and a small, aligned opening 26 in mounting plate 1, a pair of electrical leads 27 which extend upwardly within the spacing between mounting plate 2 and transom 1 for connection to a convenient source of electrical energy, such as a battery (not shown) within the vessel. From the opposite or forward end of motor m there extends a relatively short drive shaft 27 journaled in a bearing 28 provided in bar 9 and projecting there beyond for carrying upon its forward extremity a relatively small diameter sheave 29 which is splined or otherwise fixed on said shaft 27 about which is engaged an endless drive belt 30 with the opposite portion being trained about a sheave 31 having a relatively large diameter being thus in speed-reducing relationship to sheave 29.

Sheave 31 is suitably mounted upon the forward end of a jack-shaft 32, the central portion of which carries a raceforming collar 33 for accommodating ball bearings which bearing-wise engage the innerface of an opening 34 formed in bar 9. The rearward, projecting end ofjack-shaft 32 supports a relatively small diameter sheave 35 about which is trained a transmission belt 36 the opposite portion of which is engaged about rimlike member 24. It will be observed that the diameter of sheave 35 is relatively small compared to the diameter of rim-like member 24 which is but slightly greater than that of annular member 19, so that between same a substantial reduction in angular velocity will be effected.

From the foregoing it will thus be seen that upon energization of motor m, with subsequent rotation of shaft 27, sheave 29 will be rotated causing transmission of motion to enlarged sheave 31 thereby effecting rotation of jack-shaft 32 at a rate substantially less than drive shaft 27. Rotation of jack-shaft 32 will, in turn, bring about rotation of sheave 35 and from which motion will be transmitted to annular member 19 by way of belt 36. Thus the differentials of diameter of sheaves 29,31 and 35,24 will cause the spool developed by flanges 20,21 and annular member 19 to rotate at a speed substantially reduced from the operating r.p.m. of motor m. It is apparent that any desired reduction may be effected by proper selection of the diameters of the various sheaves. However, for purposes of example only, it has been found markedly efficacious to provide a sheave system effecting a reduction in speed from a 2,400 rpm. motor to 100 rpm. for the spool. Thus the present system is devoid of a costly independent gear reduction box as well as utilization of independently meshing elements thereby avoiding potential for breakdown. The speed reduction system of the present invention is extremely simple and one which is not prone to disruption but, if need be, can be easily restored to operative condition by the average unskilled individual.

Fixed in annular member 19 for extension outwardly thereof is an eyelet 37 or the like, to which the inner end of ski rope r is anchored. Rope r is thus wound about the outerface of annular member 19 and with its outer end portion being led upwardly through a flexible, tubular member 38, which may be formed of metal, plastic, or the like and which at its lower end is flared as at 39, conducive to rope guiding. The upper end of flexible tubular member 38 is engaged to the forward end of a nipple 40 having a substantially intermediate flange 41 abutting on its rearward face against the forward face of transom l; and with the rearward thread portion of nipple 40 engaged within an opening 42 which latter extends through transom l. Rope r thus proceeds upwardly through flexible member 38, thence through nipples 40, and then outwardly through opening 42 for connection in a conventional manner to the tow line handle (not shown).

With reference to FIG. 4, it is to be observed that a washer 43 having a diameter greater than the forward end of nipple 40 is carried upon rope r proximate, but spacedly, from its anchored end; there being a knot 44 formed in said rope r on the reel-proximate side of said washer 43 and in abutment thereagainst. Said knot 44 is located at a predetermined distance from the anchored end of rope r and while being of greater crosssection than the opening of washer 43, is of lesser cross-section than the diameter of flexible tubular member 38. The outside diameter of washer 43 is slightly less than the inside cross-section of tubular member 38, but sufficiently comparable thereto so that upon being moved therethrough will tend to Contact the inner face of member 38 in what might be termed a scraping manner to create a development of a sound for purposes presently appearing. It will be observed that during the major portion of the launching of rope r, washer 43 will not be in contact with member 38, but as the termination of the paying out of rope r is approached, the section of rope r carrying washer 43 will be moved through member 38 and thereby cause creation of an audible signal by reason of the contact between washer 43 and the inside face of member 38. This signal will alert the boat operator that rope I is immediately approaching a completely launched state so that the operator may take the appropriate action with respect to control of the vessel. When washer 43 abuts against nipple flange 41, the paying out is completed with an attendant cessation of sound so that the operator is then aware that rope r has reached its limit of maximum reeled-out condition.

It is understood that motor 111 may be suitably operated from a point convenient to the individual directing the boat as by a push-button switch or the like. It is also apparent that a limit switch may be utilized for automatically discontinuing motor operation when the rope r has been retrieved.

From the foregoing, the operation of the present invention should be clear since device .A permits free rotation of the spool during the ski-launching operation as by the mere relative pull upon rope r causing rotative movement of the spool. In this connection drive shaft 27 of motor m will freely turn. Upon termination of the skiing activity motor m is energized to bring about, through the speed-reducing system above described, rotation of the spool so as to cause rope r to be rewound thereabout and stored in a convenient manner for the next user. The present invention is thus most economical in operation and resistant to breakdown with its attendant difficulties and expenses.

As indicated hereinabove, device A need not be mounted upon transom 1 since it is quite obvious that said device is efficiently operative disposed on any convenient point on a vessel. Whether the drive shaft 27 is presented horizontally, as shown in the drawings, or is disposed vertically with the device being turned through an angle of makes no difference. The only criterion would be that the guide tube 38 be of appropriate length and contour to compensate for the distance between device A and the stern of the boat. Obviously, guide 38 could be appropriately supported upon the upper edge of the transom, should such be preferred.

Furthermore, device A is highly serviceable being quite durable for the intended usage and with its com pactness representing a substantial advance in the art wherein relatively bulky, complex devices have been customary.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain Letters Patent for is:

1. A ski rope retrieving device comprising a support, first and second spaced-apart end plates planarwise parallel to said support, a prime mover disposed between said first and second end plates, said first end plate being proximate said support, said second end plate being remote from said support, means mounting said first and second end plates and said prime mover upon said support, said end plates having parallel portions projecting beyond said prime mover, bearing means provided upon said end plate projecting portions, a ski rope storage member having a cylindrical body portion supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis on said bearing means and being enclosingly disposed about said prime mover and cooperating with said end plates to define a housing for said prime mover, first and second side flanges mounted upon, and projecting radially outwardly of, said cylindrical body portion of said storage member being rotatable therewith and cooperating with the outer surface of said cylndrical portion to define a storage zone for a ski rope, said first side flange being proximate said support, said second side flange being remote from said support, a drive shaft provided on said prime mover, said second end plate having an opening through which said drive shaft extends laterally beyond said second end plate and said second flange, and motion transmission means interconnecting said drive shaft and said cylindrical portion of said storage member laterally beyond said second flange for effecting rotation of the said cylindrical portion of said storage member upon operation of said prime mover.

2. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said bearing means being ball bearings, said end plates being annular and having grooves in their periphery for retaining said ball bearmgs.

3. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said cylindrical portion of said storage member having an end flange extending endwise of the same beyond the said second flange, said motion transmission means including speedreducing means engaging said end flange.

4. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said speed reducing means comprising a first sheave mounted upon said prime mover drive shaft, a mounting member fixed on said second end plate laterally beyond said second flange, a jack shaft journaled in said mounting plate, a second sheave of increased diameter relative to said first sheave carried on said jack shaft laterally outwardly of said mounting member, belt means interen= gaging said first and second sheaves, and motion transmitting means interengaging said jack shaft and said cy lindrical member end flange.

5. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said motion transmitting means including a third sheave of reduced diameter relative to said second sheave and mounted upon said jack shaft laterally inwardly of said mounting member, and means operatively connecting said third sheave and said cylindrical portion of said storage member end flange.

6. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by said means operatively connecting said third sheave and said cylindrical portion of said storage member end flange comprising a groove-defining member fixed on said end flange. and an endless member interconnecting said third sheave and said groove-defining member.

7. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said bearing means being ball bearings, said end plates being annular and having outwardly opening grooves in their peripheral surface for accepting said ball bearings.

8. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by 'a flexible tubular ropeguide member having an inner end extending between said first and second side plates and terminating spacedly from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said storage member, said rope-guide member also having an outer end remote from said storage member, means supporting said rope-guide member in stable position, said ski rope being stored on said cylindrical portion of said storage member and being threadable in its upper portion through said guide member.

9. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by said flexible tubular ropeguide member being fabricated of metal.

10. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by an annular member disposed upon said rope and having an outside diameter less than the inside cross-section of said guide member but sufficiently comparable thereto for contact with the inner side of said guide member when moving therethrough, and said rope having an enlarged portion for abutting said annular member on its storage proximate face.

11. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 10 and further characterized by said annular member being fabricated of metal, said flexible tubular ropeguide member being fabricated of metal, so that upon contact between the same a sound production will be effected for signaling purposes. 

1. A ski rope retrieving device comprising a support, first and second spaced-apart end plates planarwise parallel to said support, a prime mover disposed between said first and second end plates, said first end plate being proximate said support, said second end plate being remote from said support, means mounting said first and second end plates and said prime mover upon said support, said end plates having parallel portions projecting beyond said prime mover, bearing means provided upon said end plate projecting portions, a ski rope storage member having a cylindrical body portion supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis on said bearing means and being enclosingly disposed about said prime mover and cooperating with said end plates to define a housing for said prime mover, first and second side flanges mounted upon, and projecting radially outwardly of, said cylindrical body portion of said storage member being rotatable therewith and cooperating with the outer surface of said cylndrical portion to define a storage zone for a ski rope, said first side flAnge being proximate said support, said second side flange being remote from said support, a drive shaft provided on said prime mover, said second end plate having an opening through which said drive shaft extends laterally beyond said second end plate and said second flange, and motion transmission means interconnecting said drive shaft and said cylindrical portion of said storage member laterally beyond said second flange for effecting rotation of the said cylindrical portion of said storage member upon operation of said prime mover.
 1. A ski rope retrieving device comprising a support, first and second spaced-apart end plates planarwise parallel to said support, a prime mover disposed between said first and second end plates, said first end plate being proximate said support, said second end plate being remote from said support, means mounting said first and second end plates and said prime mover upon said support, said end plates having parallel portions projecting beyond said prime mover, bearing means provided upon said end plate projecting portions, a ski rope storage member having a cylindrical body portion supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis on said bearing means and being enclosingly disposed about said prime mover and cooperating with said end plates to define a housing for said prime mover, first and second side flanges mounted upon, and projecting radially outwardly of, said cylindrical body portion of said storage member being rotatable therewith and cooperating with the outer surface of said cylndrical portion to define a storage zone for a ski rope, said first side flAnge being proximate said support, said second side flange being remote from said support, a drive shaft provided on said prime mover, said second end plate having an opening through which said drive shaft extends laterally beyond said second end plate and said second flange, and motion transmission means interconnecting said drive shaft and said cylindrical portion of said storage member laterally beyond said second flange for effecting rotation of the said cylindrical portion of said storage member upon operation of said prime mover.
 2. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said bearing means being ball bearings, said end plates being annular and having grooves in their periphery for retaining said ball bearings.
 3. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said cylindrical portion of said storage member having an end flange extending endwise of the same beyond the said second flange, said motion transmission means including speed-reducing means engaging said end flange.
 4. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said speed reducing means comprising a first sheave mounted upon said prime mover drive shaft, a mounting member fixed on said second end plate laterally beyond said second flange, a jack shaft journaled in said mounting plate, a second sheave of increased diameter relative to said first sheave carried on said jack shaft laterally outwardly of said mounting member, belt means interengaging said first and second sheaves, and motion transmitting means interengaging said jack shaft and said cylindrical member end flange.
 5. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said motion transmitting means including a third sheave of reduced diameter relative to said second sheave and mounted upon said jack shaft laterally inwardly of said mounting member, and means operatively connecting said third sheave and said cylindrical portion of said storage member end flange.
 6. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by said means operatively connecting said third sheave and said cylindrical portion of said storage member end flange comprising a groove-defining member fixed on said end flange, and an endless member interconnecting said third sheave and said groove-defining member.
 7. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said bearing means being ball bearings, said end plates being annular and having outwardly opening grooves in their peripheral surface for accepting said ball bearings.
 8. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by a flexible tubular rope-guide member having an inner end extending between said first and second side plates and terminating spacedly from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said storage member, said rope-guide member also having an outer end remote from said storage member, means supporting said rope-guide member in stable position, said ski rope being stored on said cylindrical portion of said storage member and being threadable in its upper portion through said guide member.
 9. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by said flexible tubular rope-guide member being fabricated of metal.
 10. A ski rope retrieving device as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by an annular member disposed upon said rope and having an outside diameter less than the inside cross-section of said guide member but sufficiently comparable thereto for contact with the inner side of said guide member when moving therethrough, and said rope having an enlarged portion for abutting said annular member on its storage proximate face. 